Morning journal and courier., 1887-11-08
suNnRY MUNICIPAL BUSINESS.

cussed-Llbrary Committees Report.
 An uneommonly lively meeting of the board of aldermen was held last evening.
 Previous to the meeting of the board the Republican aldermen held caucus for the purpose of nominating fire commissioner to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Luther E. Jerome. There were but two candidates in the field, L. H. Stannard of the Fifth ward and F. B. Farnsworth of the Eighth ward. Alderman Daley was the champion of MT. Stannard and Alderman Whitmore put in some solid work for MT. Farnsworth.
 Alderman Watrous offered a resolution, which was passed, electing MT. Stannard to the position from date (November ? to the first Monday in 1889. The appointment was made by unanimous vote.
 The report of he joint committee on State House caused quite long debate
 Alderman Winchell, chairman of the com mittee, explained the various phases of the report, ,withwhich the aldermen were probably familiar, as they had all received a copy of the report.
 The reading of the report was dispened with.
 Alderman WinchelI said that it had been
  claim to portion of the State House. He said that the committee had investigated and found that the city owned fourteen-ffteenths of the building, and there was no doubt whatever but what the city had absolute right The county would lay no claim what ever.
 Alderman Dickerman said the report was a full and complete one in every respect, but he thought it should be amended in one or two places He thought if the State House was to be repaired it would result in increased taxation He offered two amendments, which met with but little opposition.
 Alderman Barnes said that all the papers in the city were against preserving the State House. Although they don't hold stock in the State House they did in the Water com pany. He said that he would be willing to abide by the vote, but he didn't think that the people could vote intelligently on the matter He was certain that a special ap- propriation would have to be obtained any way. It would cost nearly if not quite as much to pull it down as to repair it. And when torn down there will be nothing seen but a green plot, but if repaired there will be a building that will be honor to the city, an honor to the people and an honor to the State. He was strongly in favor of repairing the old State House.
 Alderman Daley seconded Alderman Dick erman's resolutions. He thought that bet ter report could not be obtained and thanked the committee for their able work. He referred to an offer made by William J. Atwater to take down the old State House without it costing the city penny.
 Alderman Barnes said he would agree to the removal of the building if the board would vote to have the building torn down by William J. Atwater without expense to the city.
 Alderman Winchell said he would offer no opposition to Alderman Dickerman's amend- ments. In regard to the amendment giving power to the Common Council he said that the committee had recommended the board of public works, as the members of the board were all honorable gentlemen and the com mittee thought with the addition of the Mayor and the city auditor the interests of the city would be well protected.
 Alderman Martin said that the offers of those who would take the building down had been looked on as joke, In his opinion it would cost money to take it down. Alderman Connors moved for the previous question. The first amendment adopted read as follows: "And in the adoption of said second proposition it is hereby made the duty of said Court of Common Council to lay a special tax, based on the grand list of the town of New Haven next last completed sufficient to raise 8 sum not exceeding $50, 900 for making said repairs and for all other costs and charges connected herewith"
 Alderman Whitmore offered an amend ment which provided that the expense of re- moving the building should be paid for in the same way advocated for it's repair, the amount to tear it down not to exceed $5, GOO. The board voted to adopt his amendment and the vote was then taken by yeas and nays on the adoption of the report as amend ed by Aldermen Dickerman and Whitmore. The vote resulted as follows: Yeas-Al dermen Watrous, Dickerman. Kenney, Hol- finger, Noonan, Clancy, Wines, Grinnell, Clerkin, Sheridan, Doyle, Whitmore, Winchell, Pohlman, Edwards, Daley, Blakeslee, Hemingway, Hamilton, Connors and Groark Nays-Aldermen Martin and Barnes.
 The report provides that the people should vote on ths question of tearing down or re- moval. The report is not printed for lack of space. It reviews the matter in detail. On motion of Aldermen Dickerman the board rendered vote of thanks to the com mittee for their able work.
 The report of the board of directors of the free public library, with the report of the librarian, were read by the clerk and voted accepted by the board. Following are ex tracts: s'The success of the library from the day of it's opening, June 2, 1887, has been phenomenal. With but $500 volumes to use the number of persons drawing books soon exceeded the number of books in the library and the necessary result was the impossibility to furnish such books as were desired and although the number of books has since been increased about 2,00t no relief from the pressing demand has re. suited, as the persons drawing have increased in number equal to the accessions, there be ing on October 2S 5,555 persons registered ai borrowers, with but 5,757 volumes, and some of these books of that class which, al though valuable for reference, of nc avail to meet the general demand of the li- hrarU'a Tharo is O ho1onna nf on hand of $771.21. The fixed charge fol November is $673.9
 w. H. Stetson, the librarian, reports as follows: "Adequately to meet the actua needs of the people of New Haven library of 25, ,000 volumes is needed for foundation and must be supplemented by the addition oi 5,O0O volumes more annually. One of the chief ends aimed at in the public library is to furnish books of instruction and books of reference, books of study rather than recreation. New Haven is a city not only of large population, but of varied pop ulation. It has large variety of industries it's library ought to contain books for the teachers in it's schools to consult, books fol it's professional men, books for carpenters, bricklayers, workers in metal, painters, and in snert for all branches of industry With adequate funds to purchase the leading trade periodicals, manuals and other important works of reference, it is evident that a means or educating more completely the various classes of workers in the city would be pro- yided, which the experience of the library has already shown W ould be appreciated and which would be of great value in improving the commercial capabilities of our citizens. The library would furnish the helps to tech nical education which young men desire, and keep all the various trades more easily and completely abreast of the age."
 The board on motion of Alderman Win chell voted to have fifteen hundred copies of the report printed for distribution.
 Clerk Bishop of the City court submitted his annual report, which was accepted. The receipts were: From fines $720 31, from jail $423 39, from Court of Common Pleas $164 90 and from other sources $28. AS; tota1$1 ,227. 08. The disbursements were: Witness fees $525 20, expenses of arrest $112.19, City court officers $98, prosecuting agents fees $100, stationery and printing $38.03, paid to the city treasurer $763. 66. total 1 ,337 O9.
 The petition of the board of police comis- sioners to arrange with the town authorities "to provide room suitable for the use of a matron and to appropriate sum not exceed ing $400 to cover the expenses of any changes that may be necessary in the build- ing and $500 for matron's salary" was refer red to the finance committee.
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